Lifestyle Changes to Manage Asthma

General Guidelines for Managing Asthma

Making some lifestyle changes can help you avoid triggers that may cause an asthma attack.

Reduce your exposure to allergens that trigger asthma.

Pay attention to warning signs when they occur.

Treat symptoms early.

Ask your doctor about physical activity.

Get a yearly flu shot.

Reduce Your Exposure to Allergens That Trigger Asthma

Because there are many types of allergens that may trigger asthma, it is nearly impossible to completely remove all allergens from your environment. However, there are many things that you can do to help reduce allergens and your exposure to asthma triggers.

The National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute offers these suggestions:

Take these steps to control dust mites:

Wash bedding once a week in hot water. Water must be hotter than 130 degrees F (60 degrees C) to kill dust mites.

Cover mattresses and pillows in dust-proof, zippered covers.

Avoid cloth-covered cushions.

If your pillow does not have a dust proof cover, wash your pillow each week in hot water.

Make sure trash in your home is properly stored in containers with lids that close securely. Remove trash daily.

Try using poison baits, boric acid, or traps before using pesticide sprays.

Do not stay in a room that has recently been sprayed with a pesticide. Wait until the odor has cleared before going back to the room.

Take these steps to control mold:

Fix plumbing leaks and other moisture problems.

Use a bleach cleaner to wash mold off hard surfaces. Let the surface dry completely.

Take these steps to avoid irritants:

Avoid using strong-smelling products, like perfume, paint, or powders.

Avoid wood-burning stoves, fireplaces, or kerosene heaters.

If you smoke, quit. Avoid being around people who smoke. Do not allow smoking in your home or car.

Ask someone to vacuum for you. Stay out of the room after it is vacuumed. If you vacuum:

Use a vacuum with a HEPA filter or microfilter bag.

Wear a dust mask.

Take these steps to control asthma due to allergies to pollen and outdoor mold:

Try to keep windows closed during allergy season.

Pollen and some mold counts can be highest in late morning to afternoon. Stay indoors and keep windows closed during this time when possible.

Talk to your doctor about changes to your medication routine before allergy season starts.

Other strategies for controlling allergens include:

Avoid exercise or any physical exertion when air pollution levels are high.

Talk to your doctor about immunotherapy for allergens that are most persistent.

Avoid
aspirin
and other over-the-counter pain relievers if you have a known sensitivity to these drugs.

Be sure your doctor knows the details of what you do at work. Do not overlook the effect of work, hobbies, and recreation as causes of asthma symptoms.

Pay Attention to Warning Signs When They Occur

When you or your child has warning signs that an asthma attack may occur, begin treatment as recommended by your physician.

Warning signs include:

Increased shortness of breath and wheezing

Chest tightness or pain

An increased need to use bronchodilators

Fitful sleep patterns

Frequent coughing or coughing spasms, especially at night

Worsening peak expiratory flow if you use a device that measures your expiratory flow

Weather changes may worsen asthma symptoms, especially in children. If the humidity increases or the temperature changes, pay close attention to your child's symptoms.

Treat Symptoms Early

Although not all asthma attacks can be prevented, early treatment can significantly reduce the severity of the symptoms. Take all the necessary precautions to prevent asthma attacks, and treat symptoms as early as possible to avoid having a serious attack.

Ask Your Doctor About Physical Activity

Your doctor may recommend that you limit strenuous physical activity after an asthma attack. In general, asthma should not limit your participation or success in physical activities. Consider the following when exercising:

Make sure you have good asthma control before exercising.

If exercise triggers your asthma, ask your doctor about using a short-acting beta-agonist about 15 minutes before exercise.

Try warming-up for at least 10 minutes before exercise. The warm up may include walking or other low-intensity activities.

Avoid other triggers such as high pollution levels, pollen season, freshly cut grass, or cold. If cold is a trigger, wear a scarf or mask to warm the air before it hits your lungs.

Consider changing the length or intensity of exercise if mild symptoms persist.

With any new activity, gradually increase your intensity.

Get a Yearly Flu Shot

You are at a higher risk for flu-related complications, such as
pneumonia
, because you have asthma. Adults and children older than six months old should get a yearly
flu shot
.

When to Contact Your Doctor

Stay in contact with your doctor between visits, especially if your symptoms are changing. Whether you stay in contact over the phone, through email, or through your doctor's website, good communication can help you stay out of the hospital and have better control of your asthma.

If you are having a mild to moderate asthma attack and your medication does not work in the time it is supposed to, call your doctor. If you are having a severe asthma attack, take your asthma medication and get emergency medical help right away.

Revision Information

This content is reviewed regularly and is updated when new and relevant evidence is made available. This information is neither intended nor implied to be a substitute for professional medical advice. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider prior to starting any new treatment or with questions regarding a medical condition.

Section 3, component 3: control of environmental factors and comorbid conditions that affect asthma. National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute website. Available at:
http://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/guidelines/asthma/06%5Fsec3%5Fcomp3.pdf
. Published August 28, 2007. Accessed September 9, 2013.

So you have asthma. National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute website. Available at:
http://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/health/public/lung/asthma/have%5Fasthma.pdf
. Published March 2007. Accessed September 9, 2013.